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First full day at Hilario Galindo

We began the day with devotional led by Sister Nancy Jurecki. She reminded us to reflect on our Mission here in Guatemala. As people of Providence, we are not only on our own journey but we are becoming a part of someone else’s journey. Whether it is connecting with our patients or our team, for this week we are all inextricably on the same path. Our patients made their own journey to Hilario Galindo, some traveling by bus for six hours just to be here early enough to guarantee a consultation; six hours, six hours for one consult. The shared sentiment I received from patients reverberates the idea that time is relative. Six hours was nothing if it meant getting their voices heard and their symptoms, at the very least, acknowledged. Some had been at Hilario since Thursday to complete testing (labs, x-rays, etc) needed for their consultations.

We walked in through the main entrance of Hilario. The waiting room was full. Bench after bench was filled with people eager to meet our team. Sister Nancy led us all in prayer. There was a gentleman standing beside me, both of his hands up and his head hung low. His voice was low and faint as he passionately began praying his own prayer. It seemed like every person in the room was doing the same--making a private moment public to a group of people from the extranjero (foreign land).

It was amazing to see how quickly and seamlessly the transformation of Hilario took place. Everyone synched effortlessly. Seeing each and every person work together and bring the skeleton of Hilario Galindo to life was a testament to the Providence commitment to excellence. Our team as a unit molded Hilario with such precision and grace you would think it was rehearsed before arriving. Operating rooms barren the day before were now full of supplies brought in by our team as well as teams before us. All are set and ready to go.